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Trump breaks US stance with direct Taiwan call Trump breaks US policy stance with direct Taiwan call
(35 minutes later)
US President-elect Donald Trump has spoken directly with the president of Taiwan - breaking with US policy set in 1979 when formal relations were cut.US President-elect Donald Trump has spoken directly with the president of Taiwan - breaking with US policy set in 1979 when formal relations were cut.
Mr Trump's transition team said he and Tsai Ing-wen noted "close economic, political, and security ties" between the US and Taiwan in a phone call.Mr Trump's transition team said he and Tsai Ing-wen noted "close economic, political, and security ties" between the US and Taiwan in a phone call.
The move risks angering China, which sees Taiwan as a breakaway province.The move risks angering China, which sees Taiwan as a breakaway province.
China has hundreds of missiles pointing towards the island, and has threatened to take it by force if necessary. Mr Trump tweeted that Ms Tsai called him, to congratulate him on winning the US election.
His team said that the president-elect "congratulated" Ms Tsai on becoming the president of Taiwan in January's elections.
It is highly unusual for a US president or president-elect to speak to a Taiwanese leader directly.
The White House has said Mr Trump's conversation did not signal any change in US policy.
China has hundreds of missiles pointing towards Taiwan, and has threatened to use force if it seeks independence.
Beijing has so far made no public comment on the latest development.Beijing has so far made no public comment on the latest development.
Mr Trump's team also said that the president-elect "congratulated" Ms Tsai on becoming the president of Taiwan in January's elections. President Tsai, Taiwan's first female leader, led the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to a landslide victory in the poll.
The 59-year-old, Taiwan's first female leader, led the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to a landslide victory in the poll.
The DPP has traditionally leaned towards independence from China.The DPP has traditionally leaned towards independence from China.
Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan's shy but steely leaderTsai Ing-wen, Taiwan's shy but steely leader
Washington cut formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979, expressing its support for Beijing's "One China" policy.Washington cut formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979, expressing its support for Beijing's "One China" policy.
President Tsai's administration does not accept the policy, which states that the Taiwan is part of China.President Tsai's administration does not accept the policy, which states that the Taiwan is part of China.
The US still maintains friendly non-official relations with Taiwan.The US still maintains friendly non-official relations with Taiwan.
Meanwhile, Ned Price, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said Mr Trump's conversation did not signal any change to long-standing US policy. Following Mr Trump's telephone conversation, the White House said the US remained firmly committed to its "One China" policy.
"We remain firmly committed to our 'One China' policy,'' he said on Friday. "Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-strait relations," said Ned Price, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council.
"Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-strait relations." Meanwhile, Mr Trump is also reported to have invited President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines to the White House next year during a "very engaging, animated" phone conversation, according to one of Mr Duterte's aides.
But a statement issued by Trump's transition team made no mention of an invitation.
The Philippines leader has had disagreements with President Barack Obama and has in the past insulted him. Mr Obama cancelled a planned meeting with him in September.